Wisconsin · Cross-country skiing

Red Loop

1.0 mi
round trip
214 ft
climb
1,650 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Red Loop is a cross-country ski route in Northern Highland State Forest in Wisconsin, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The loop is about 1.9 miles long and is an out-and-back, with a high point of 1,650 feet and a low of 1,606 feet. The climb is moderate, with a total elevation gain of 58 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.42 miles in, with a 7% grade. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Minocqua show January highs around 20°F with lows near 1°F and about 10 snow days. Snow days drop to about one in May, when highs reach the mid-60s. The loop sits close to several other ski routes. Yellow Loop and Blue Loop are each about 0.1 mile away, and Green Loop is about 0.2 mile away. For an overnight stay, Cunard Lake Campground is about 5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Red Loop

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      20° / 1°

      11 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      25° / 3°

      8 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      37° / 13°

      9 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      49° / 26°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      64° / 39°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      73° / 51°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 54°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      75° / 52°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 45°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 34°

      13 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      37° / 22°

      12 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      25° / 9°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Minocqua, WI, 4.6 mi away at 1,601 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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